Atomic oscillator

Abstract

An atomic oscillator includes a gas cell that has metal atoms sealed therein, a heating unit that heats the gas cell, a heat transmission unit that is positioned between the gas cell and the heating unit, is thermally connected to the gas cell, and transmits heat generated by the heating unit to the gas cell, and a light absorbing unit that is thermally connected to the gas cell so as to be separated from the heat transmission unit and absorbs heat of the gas cell. The heat transmission unit includes a gas cell accommodation portion including at least a pair of gas cell accommodation walls disposed outside the gas cell, and a thermal conductive elastic member which is interposed in a gap formed by the gas cell and the gas cell accommodation walls of the heat transmission unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An atomic oscillator comprising:
 a gas cell that is configured with a pair of window members and a wall so that the gas cell has an inner space enclosed by the pair of window members and the wall, the pair of window members being opposite to each other, metal atoms being sealed in the inner space, the wall having first, second, third, and fourth side frames, the third and fourth side frames being connected between the first and second side frames, the first, second, third, and fourth frames being connected to the pair of window members;   a heater configured to heat the gas cell, the heater being provided at a side directly adjacent to the first side frame of the gas cell;   a heat transmission member that is coupled to the first, third, and fourth side frames and part of the pair of window members so as to thermally connect the heater to the gas cell and to transmit heat generated by the heater to the gas cell;   a heat absorbing member that is coupled to the second, third, and fourth side frames and part of the pair of window members so as to be thermally connected to the gas cell and to absorb heat of the gas cell and dissipate the heat to an outside of the gas cell;   a first thermal conductive elastic member configured to transfer heat, the first thermal conductive elastic member being provided between the heat transmission member and a first outer surface of the gas cell so that the first thermal conductive elastic member is sandwiched therebetween, the first outer surface is configured with the first, third, and fourth side frames and the part of the pair of window members; and   a second thermal conductive elastic member configured to transfer heat, the second thermal conductive elastic member being provided between the heat absorbing member and a second outer surface of the gas cell so that the second thermal conductive elastic member is sandwiched therebetween, the second outer surface is configured with the second, third, and fourth side frames and the part of the pair of window members,   wherein the heat generated by the heater transmits to the heat absorbing member via the heat transmission member, the first thermal conductive elastic member, the gas cell, and the second thermal conductive elastic member.   
     
     
         2 . The atomic oscillator according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein each of the first and second thermal conductive elastic members is a rubber-based adhesive, a packing, or a sheet piece.   
     
     
         3 . The atomic oscillator according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein each of the first and second thermal conductive elastic members is a rubber-based filler.   
     
     
         4 . The atomic oscillator according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coil that generates a magnetic field passing through the gas cell; and   a magnetic shield that accommodates the gas cell, the heat transmission member, the heat absorbing member, and the coil therein,   wherein the heat transmission member and the heat absorbing member are thermally connected to the magnetic shield, and   wherein the heater is thermally connected to an outer side of the magnetic shield.